"Can this people just leave me be for a while" Lily asked in her heart" They had just come back this morning. She needed to spend more time with her sister and her father in the hospital. What could possibly be the matter?
"Sorry, I have to take this" she told Floria.
"No problem" Floria replied. "Go on then. Take your time"
Lily excused herself. She went outside the ward and picked the call.
"Hello"
"How long will it take you...."
"Can you please talk" she cut him off.
"There's a charity gala tomorrow night. We've been ordered to be present....as couples" he said. The last statement had come with it disgust evident in his voice but Lily didn't care. She had gotten used to him.
"But we just came back.."
"We've had this discussion before"
"No.."
"Lily!" He halted her. "You should be careful enough not to offend Me. Franklivania. The charity gala is by 9 in the evening. It will last till dawn." He said and hung up.
Lily felt downcast just by the news. The day has been going so well till the news. A charity gala? What is that man planning? The way Nicholas had called him by their surname sounded scary. It seemed he was scared of his own father.
Floria came out of the ward. "Lily?"
"We should be heading home" Lily said and walked out of the hospital. Floria quickly followed her to the car. They rode home in silence.
"You care to share?"
"You shouldn't worry"
"I can't Lily. You know I can't"
Lily knew better than to hide it from her.
"Nicholas called" she opened up.
"What did he say?"
"We've been invited to a charity gala tomorrow night"
"But you both just came back"
"I don't know Floria. That family is....is...is evil" Lily spoke with a low tune and awe.
"What do you think is the reason for it?"
"I don't know"
"Remember the both of you were rumored to be in an arranged marriage" Floria reminded.
"You saw"
"I have a phone sister. It's everywhere on the net"
"I'm sorry you have to see.....wait" Lily got an inkling. "Our scandal"
"Yes, you're getting me now?"
"He wishes to mend it his own way since those honeymoon pictures couldn't. Since we couldn't"
"And how's he going to do that?"
"I don't know but I think he might pose that we're the one who organized the charity gala to commemorate our love."
"And?"
"Maybe officially announce....no way"
"Now you got it. We cannot allow that to happen now"
"But they're already paying Lustre's taxes"
"Thanks to the marriage. Marriage doesn't certify his claim over Lustre" Floria spoke with intention.
"We cannot stop him"
"But father can"
"He's sleeping Floria"
"Yes. The more reason we have to buy him time"
"We cannot. Mr Franklivania is not a jerk. That's the more reason he's using this opportunity. That's if father will ever wake" Lily said, beads of tears falling down her eyes.
Floria looked at her and felt for her. Her sister is the smartest and bravest person she ever know. That's where she, herself learned bravery. She stood up to her parents to be a road safety corp. She has solved so many issues on the road, won so many trivial awards. But seeing her now, cower at this situation, made her realize how much this situation has weighed her down. So she decided not to talk again about this matter.
They got home peacefully and night had already come. With the information they just got and decoded, the ambience became cold and they went to sleep it away.
Lily woke like Cinderella. This time, instead of rats and birds singing by her window, it was Floria, holding a stunning red dress with gold chain girded round the waist.
"Floria, you didn't have to"
"You woke up late. I never wanted to disturb"
"Late?"
"Yeah. It's almost noon. Guess you haven't had such a peaceful sleep for a long time"
"Yes Floria, you need not ask" they laughed.
"Stand. Stand and test the dress"
Lily quickly got up and slid into the dress. Perfect match!
"Floria!!"
"My taste is just top tier" she bragged.
"Of course they are"
"Okay, hurry. Take your bath, help yourself with some food. Watch some movies and wait for nightfall"
"You already have my schedule all drawn" they laughed again.
Lily was happy to be cared for. She allowed Floria have her fun and care for her. Who knows what this night might be. The thought of the charity gala returned. Now, she didn't what to do. Then she remembered the visions.
"Why are they not coming?" Lily asked. She needed it. At least it might help her know what next to do now that she's in a presumed dire situation.
Evening finally came. Kelvin, their driver came to take her to the event.
"Floria!!! It's late" Lily screamed.
Floria came out, to Lily's surprise, unprepared.
"What's this?"
"I'll come after you Lily. I have a runny stomach" she said.
"Oh, take your time then" Lily said concerned
"Awwn. You look beautiful" Floria adorned. "Give me a hug"
The sisters hugged each other. As the released from the hug, Floria held her palms. "You'll do well" She assured.
Lily thanked her a d rushed out. The last time she was late didn't augur well. The hall was filled with people of class and wealth. Lily arrived in her father's sleek GK 11. The reporters and cameras flashed at her. Too much light. To her surprise, as she opened the door, Nicholas was there to escort her. Lily gave out her hand, perusing his face, looking for hope inside his eyes. "Is this real?" She asked in her head. The cameras captured everything. Those pictures were expected to make the headlines by tomorrow morning.
As they stood behind the hall, the master of ceremonies announced their presence as they entered. For once, Lily felt important. Like a real public figure. But now she was confused. Why is Nicholas leading her here.
After their presence was recognized, Mr Franklivania entered. Followed by subsequent important men.
"In my study, now," Mr Franklivania told them in a hush as they sat together. They quietly left the hall, trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Lily followed, her heart heavy with foreboding. Nicholas trailed behind, his eyes fixed on the floor.
Inside the study, Mr. Franklivania's wrath unleashed. "You two have made a mockery of our families' legacy! The public is laughing at us, and our business is suffering!"
Lily stood tall, meeting his glare. "We did what we were told. We played the happy couple."
"Happy couple?" Mr. Franklivania sneered. "You call that a happy couple? I call it a disaster!"
Nicholas spoke up, his voice firm. "We'll do better, Father. We'll make it work."
Lily's eyes widened in surprise. Was Nicholas finally taking her side?
But Mr. Franklivania would have none of it. "You'll do what I say, or you'll face the consequences. Thia Charity gala is held after you people, after your marriage, your love. So you're to give the introduction. The both of you, on stage!"
"Father?!"
"Out of my sight!"
As they left the study, Lily whispered to Nicholas, "What's going on? Is this why we're here? To deceive the masses once more?"
Nicholas's expression turned grim. "We're here to face the truth, Lily. Our families' secrets, our marriage... everything."
Lily's heart raced. "What secrets? What truth?" She asked.
"We have no choice, Lily. We're trapped." Nicholas answered, confusing Lily the more.
Lily's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'd rather die than live a lie."
Nicholas's face twisted, and he turned away, leaving Lily to her thoughts.
They graced the hall again as they were called for the already told introduction. They went up the stage and Nicholas did a perfect oratory job.
"Everything gotten from this auction will go to the orphanage, as a love to our unborn children. To the church, to consolidate our love for humanity and philanthropism. To every sector of Vancouver that needs help. So as to share that our love, my love for this woman does not only lie in the collaboration between our companies but in my heart." Nicholas looked Lily in the eye. "Our heart" he concluded. Lily knew what that stare meant and on that point, the headache came.
"Only when I'm with him" she said in her heart. "Only with him do these visions come"
They left the stage and Lily rushed out to avoid disgracing herself. She rushed to the toilet and then the visions intruded.
There she stood, a party quite similar and then, for the first time, she saw his face in the visions. Her head banged and soon as he opened his mouth to talk, the visions blurred.
"No" she needed them. But at least she was happy that she controlled it and didn't disgrace herself on stage.
She returned to the hall. Many things were brought for auction and people have already started buying.
"10 million dollars" one woman with a misapplied makeup said while raising her hand.
"Any other person?" The host asked. "Going going.....gone! Ten million it is!" The hall was overtaken by thunderous claps.
"Okay let's invite Mr Franklivania for an important announcement"
A knot formed in Lily's stomach. But then, before Mr Franklivania could step, a scream interrupted the session.
"I have something!!!"
Lily recognized the voice. When did she come.
"Uhm..."
"No Mr host, I have something for the auction. I can't wait. I have to go and I can't wait for the CEO to finish the announcement." Floria said.
Her eyes was daring. She wore a very beautiful violet dress. Her beauty was masked with sheer cruelty.
"What do you have Miss....."
"Floria. That's the name Mr Franklivania. Floria" the hall became tensed.
"Okay. Floria" Mr Franklivania called. "What do you have that can't wait till I finish"
Floria walked up to the stage. "I want everyone to listen. What I have fits in so much in today's theme."
"No Floria" Lily said amidst fear. Is that why she told her to go. To scheme some evil. Did she lie about the whole thing? The runny stomach "
"I have..." Her voice echoed. Nicholas' eyes fixated on her. As if he was enjoying her daring spirit.
"My sister's wedding ring!"
The crowd screamed.
C